For decades, cardiology has focused on the heart by examining its core functions, such as electrical conduction,
blood flow, and structural anatomy. While it is common to perceive aspects of the heart as if they operated
independently, this reductionist approach, though fundamental, often misses the larger context in which
cardiovascular health develops. In reality, heart health is impacted by a network of interconnected factors, including
genetic predispositions, a patient’s ability to access care promptly, the consistency of follow-up and coordination
among providers, financial or insurance-related challenges, and the practical difficulties of maintaining long-term
treatment in daily life. Importantly, many of these factors reveal underlying inequities in healthcare systems, where
disparities in access, follow-up, and adherence are not just individual issues but structural outcomes of unequal
resource distribution, coverage, and support.
This keynote introduces a new perspective: using systems science to rethink cardiology by focusing on not just
better models but also meaningful changes in clinical practice, equity, and outcomes. By drawing on
interdisciplinary methods, the talk shows how systems thinking, along with dynamic modeling and feedback-
sensitive design, can change how we identify, understand, and treat cardiovascular disease. We explore examples
where systems-based approaches have improved care coordination, informed health policy, and enhanced patient
stratification, moving beyond the traditional lab-based focus. At the same time, we address persistent challenges,
including fragmented data, limited interoperability, and barriers to implementation, emphasizing the need for a more
adaptive and connected future. Ultimately, this talk argues that transitioning from fragmented, mechanistic views to
integrated, systems-driven strategies can shift cardiology from a reactive discipline to one that is truly proactive. It
calls for collaborative innovation across clinical, engineering, and policy domains, placing systems thinking at the
heart of cardiovascular transformation.